Redeploy Illinois Annual Report - September 2012

"Redeploy funding has increased the availability of community services for juveniles and their families; access to intensive treatment, substance abuse treatment, aggression interruption training and electronic monitoring allows me to insure community protection without having to commit juveniles to DJJ." -- Judge Elizabeth Robb, Chief Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit, McLean County

In 2005, through the efforts of Illinois juvenile justice professionals and advocates concerned about the incarceration of at-risk youth, legislators responded with funding for a new approach to the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. Redeploy Illinois began as a pilot project in three sites and has since expanded to eight sites in 28 counties. The program has provided individualized services to more than 1,500 youth, and the Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board (RIOB) continues to actively support expansion.

Prior to implementation in these 28 counties, on average, 356 youth eligible for Redeploy services were being incarcerated each year. Because of the alternative path offered by Redeploy, these counties have instead committed only 174 youth per year on average since 2006, a 51% reduction, averting millions in annual incarceration costs to the state.

As reflected in this report, efforts during the past year have focused on refining data gathering and analysis. In January 2011, a new monthly reporting format was implemented. While results from the first year of data indicate the need for further refinement, a clear snapshot of the youth who participate in Redeploy Illinois has emerged. The average participant, at enrollment, is a 15-16 year old Caucasian male who has been charged with a felony property offense and is on probation. The most prevalent service referral for these youth is for substance abuse issues.

Federal funding was secured to support a cost-benefit analysis and a recidivism study intended to support statewide expansion efforts and to demonstrate the program's continued effectiveness. Early analysis indicates that only 17.4% of youth who successfully completed Redeploy services were arrested on new charges during the period covered by the study, compared to 72.8% of juvenile justice-involved youth not in Redeploy in the same counties. Further, the rate of re-incarceration among Redeploy participants was 14.2%, compared to 57.4% among non-participants. Data even suggest that youth who do not successfully complete Redeploy services experience significantly fewer re-arrests and incarcerations.

Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.

DHS 8250(N-07-12)Redeploy Illinois Annual Report

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